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NEWS
Aug 19, 2011 12:41:22 GMT 1
Post by StuartG on Aug 19, 2011 12:41:22 GMT 1
"Migrant birds are 'disappearing' from Britain, study shows" Britain is in danger of losing some of the most distinctive sounds of summer as bird numbers plummet. Those most at risk of ‘just disappearing off the map’ include such common names as the cuckoo, turtle dove and the nightingale. Eight out of ten species with the worst decline in numbers since 1995 were migratory birds, the British Trust for Ornithology’s 2010 breeding survey found. He said factors such as habitat destruction, illegal hunting and climate change were having a major effect on numbers and we are in a ‘race against time’ to tackle the problems. www.metro.co.uk/news/872808-migrant-birds-are-disappearing-from-britain-study-shows---- Comment: This sounds like a 'well talked up' piece. 'habitat destruction' Where? in this country or abroad. What habitats have been destroyed in this country? 'illegal hunting' We've had some poisoning of large birds that have been re-introduced and are seen as predators on lambs. What else has there been? 'climate change' well it would be, wouldn't it? I re-post this from the Daily Mail... "Our green and pleasant land: New satellite map reveals just 6% of our island is built up" Last updated at 8:14 AM on 7th July 2011 www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2011692/A-green-pleasant-land-Map-reveals-half-Britain-countryside.htmlStuartG
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NEWS
Aug 19, 2011 15:18:13 GMT 1
Post by StuartG on Aug 19, 2011 15:18:13 GMT 1
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NEWS
Aug 19, 2011 16:21:53 GMT 1
Post by marchesarosa on Aug 19, 2011 16:21:53 GMT 1
It's all those French and Italians hunting them for the pot.
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NEWS
Aug 19, 2011 20:50:47 GMT 1
Post by StuartG on Aug 19, 2011 20:50:47 GMT 1
Yes MM, I'd forgotten about the Italians, 'who shoot anything that flies'. "There is a saying that the Cantonese will "eat anything with four legs except a table, and anything that flies except an aeroplane" " ---- "As one food writer said, the Italian will shoot anything that flies and eat it. In the Veneto region, especially in Vicenza, they make polenta e osei, songbirds, such as larks, thrushes, warblers, buntings, or blackbirds, and squares of polenta spit-roasted over a fire of aromatic woods. Osei is the Venetian dialect word for uccelli, small wild birds. You can use quail, squab, or Cornish game hens in this recipe." www.cliffordawright.com/caw/recipes/display/bycategory.php/recipe_id/159/id/10/Yeah, OK, but what have the Romans ever done for us. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSELOCMmw4A
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NEWS
Aug 19, 2011 21:58:24 GMT 1
Post by StuartG on Aug 19, 2011 21:58:24 GMT 1
Environmental Research Web Aug 19, 2011 Climate projections don't accurately reflect soil carbon release "Models may be predicting releases of atmospheric carbon dioxide that are either too high or too low, depending on the region, because they don't adequately reflect variable temperatures that can affect the amount of carbon released from soil. That's according to a study published in Biogeosciences." environmentalresearchweb.org/cws/article/news/46918
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NEWS
Aug 19, 2011 23:26:51 GMT 1
Post by StuartG on Aug 19, 2011 23:26:51 GMT 1
"Windfarms prevent detection of secret nuclear weapon tests, says MoD" "Plans for hundreds of wind turbines have been blocked over claims that vibrations will interfere with recording station" Rob Edwards guardian.co.uk, Friday 19 August 2011 16.05 BST "The MoD claims that vibrations from new windfarms across a large area of north-west England and south-west Scotland will interfere with the operation of its seismological recording station at Eskdalemuir, near Lockerbie. The station listens out for countries secretly testing nuclear warheads in breach of the 182-nation Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty." ---- "No Opposition To Wind Turbine At Hearing In East Hampton" Publication: The East Hampton Press By Will James Aug 19, 2011 4:42 PM "At the hearing, Planning Board member Patrick Schutte spoke strongly in favor of the application by Anthony Iacono to build a 120-foot-tall wind turbine on his Long Lane chicken farm in East Hampton." .... "“I want to see this all over the place,” Mr. Schutte said. “I want to se this in people’s backyards, if we can go there.” Mr. Schutte, who said that wind turbines are a step toward replacing “antiquated” and pollution-generating power plants, expressed surprise after he returned to his seat and realized no one was going to follow him at the podium. Last year, residents sparred over the pros and cons of allowing another Long Lane farmer, Stephen Mahoney, to build an identical wind turbine on his property. That application was approved in a split decision, and the turbine was built. At the time, some residents expressed concerns about noise and ground vibrations they said could be caused by the turbine, as well as aesthetics." www.27east.com/news/article.cfm/East-Hampton-Village/395414/No-Opposition-To-Wind-Turbine-Hearing-In-East-Hampton---- Comment: His chickens won't like it, they'll stop laying or produce scrambled eggs, unless they're battery hens.
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NEWS
Aug 20, 2011 11:55:50 GMT 1
Post by principled on Aug 20, 2011 11:55:50 GMT 1
Stu I sometimes despair at the ignorance of our political representatives. They appear to do little research and for the most part seem to talk from where the sun doesn't shine! A 120ft turbine should be stuck alongside his house, then we could do some real research on the effects of vibration and noise on his quality of life. From: www.savewesternny.org/docs/pierpont_testimony.htmlFrom: 2011 Wind turbine Noise conference www.windturbinenoise2011.org/We'll then ensure that he is disconnected from the Grid and all that "antiquated� and pollution-generating power plants". Then when he gets up for breakfast and the wind isn't blowing he can enjoy a nice cup of cold tea!
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NEWS
Aug 20, 2011 20:57:26 GMT 1
Post by StuartG on Aug 20, 2011 20:57:26 GMT 1
This is worth a read... HMRC fail on penalties A couple of recent good news cases for taxpayers regarding penalties."The tribunal upheld the appeal by the taxpayer, saying HMRC "has neiter acted fairly nor in good conscience". Ouch." networkedblogs.com/lKAry---- HMRC were also criticised by Jones for imposing a second penalty whilst they purposefully failed to send a reminder about the first penalty. " "In my judgment, it is not open to HMRC to take advantage of its own default in sending a timeous default notice to a taxpayer. That would offend the common law principle of fairness and most right-thinking members of the public would find it repugnant, especially on the part of a public body," he said. " www.cmeasy.co.uk/news/?Id=111---- In February 2011, HMRC sent a threatening letter to HMD before the initial appeal process had been completed. The judge said: “In those circumstances it was, in our judgement, quite wrong of HMRC to send a letter which threatened, in its second paragraph, to levy distraint by sending somebody to the appellant’s premises to seize goods to be sold at public auction. Such high-handed threatening action was not justified. It smacks more of the conduct of a disreputable debt collector than of responsible conduct by an organ of the state.” “In our judgement, the appellant is entitled to rely upon the common law duty of a public body to act fairly not just in its decision-making process but also in administering its statutory powers. We are in no doubt that such a body does not act fairly when it deliberately desists from sending a penalty notice, for four months or more, knowing that the effect will be to impose a minimum penalty of £500 upon somebody whose sin may amount to no more than oversight or forgetfulness.” www.payroll-help.com/2011/08/11124-tax-tribunal-criticises-hmrc/---- The Tribunal Case... www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKFTT/TC/2011/TC01322.html---- Comment: "the appellant is entitled to rely upon the common law duty of a public body to act fairly not just in its decision-making process but also in administering its statutory powers." That's a good bit to remember to quote to any 'public body' when their standards appear below expected. It covers arbitary judgements made by petty public servants.
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NEWS
Aug 20, 2011 21:49:34 GMT 1
Post by principled on Aug 20, 2011 21:49:34 GMT 1
Stu It is sad to see that in many walks of life, lowly officials now seem to feel that they have more power over us than in reality they have. At one end we have unelected council officials only too willing to see if they can "fine" those that pay their salaries for any minor infraction (bin detectives come to mind). At the other we have a full-blown government body acting like some private parking company trying to extract some outrageous and unenforceable sum of money for what is an unproved infringement. The use of threatening letters and sending in debt collectors is now common to both the private and public sector. It is incumbent on all of us to stand against such "railroading", lest our freedoms become further eroded by the over zealous application of rules, many of which are not actually legal. Here endeth my sermon P
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NEWS
Aug 20, 2011 22:20:22 GMT 1
Post by StuartG on Aug 20, 2011 22:20:22 GMT 1
"Police to be investigated by taxman over claims they didn't disclose newspaper tip-off fees" By Daily Mail Reporter Last updated at 1:08 PM on 6th August 2011 "A crackdown by the HM Revenue and Customs could mean police officers who allegedly took payments from newspapers and private investigators will face hefty fines and criminal prosecution if payments weren't declared. Under HMRC rules, even if a payment is illegal, if it is obtained in connection with an individual's employment it is must be disclosed for tax purposes. According to the Guardian, a HMRC spokesperson confirmed that illegal earnings can still be liable for tax but he could not confirm the nature or extent of any investigation into a private individual's tax affairs, " Comment: Send 'em a fixed penalty notice? and note The Mail quotes the 'Guardian'. Ever wonder why? ---- "Investigations trigger investigations: one Scotland Yard detective has been arrested and suspended over alleged leaks to Guardian journalists. " www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/phone-hacking/8712985/The-phone-hacking-scandal-has-hacked-at-the-pillars-of-society.html---- "A spokesperson for Guardian News & Media, which publishes the Guardian, declined to comment on reports that the leaks had been to the Guardian, and said: "We note the arrest of a Scotland Yard detective on suspicion of misconduct in a public office relating to unauthorised disclosure of information." www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/aug/19/phone-hacking-detective-arrested?INTCMP=SRCH---- Comment: Send 'em a fixed penalty notice? I've seen that somewhere before. ---- Fears of something rotten in Scotland Yard Published: 19 July, 2011, 08:20 Edited: 19 July, 2011, 14:24 Video, rt.com/news/yard-police-secretary-doherty/Comment: A bit 'old' for news? still worth a view. Starts with Sean Hoare and ends with Lulz Sec(urity) note the source. "RT has been criticized as having pro-Putin and Soviet bias, advancing conspiracy theories, featuring radical commentators and promoting an extremist and anti western agenda, including support for fundamentalist Islamic propaganda. Some of these allegations have been acknowledged by the TV station, claiming them to be legitimate for an alternative TV station." Oh. You can't win....
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NEWS
Aug 21, 2011 12:35:04 GMT 1
Post by StuartG on Aug 21, 2011 12:35:04 GMT 1
I couldn't resist this one, despite being one of our local papers this story has already made it to 'Forbes' Published: 21/08/2011 09:30 - Updated: 19/08/2011 16:36 Pub sign of Pippa's rear gets bum's rush BY KEELEY KNOWLES A pub landlord has been asked to take down a picture of Pippa Middleton’s bottom as it could ‘cause offence’ and told to reinstate a 16th century queen. .... Local resident Charlie Garth, who wrote a letter of complaint to Bedfordshire on Sunday, said: “We must remember that Ampthill is a historic Georgian market town. “We don’t want disgraceful pictures of ladies’ posteriors on our pub signs. That sort of behaviour might be acceptable in the fleshpots of Flitwick or Luton, but not in Ampthill.” www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/News/Pub-sign-of-Pippas-rear-gets-bums-rush-19082011.htmComment: Classic! fleshpots of where? I suppose it's a case of whose head you'd like to have, isn't it? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flitwick pronounced Flit-ik
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NEWS
Aug 22, 2011 19:15:56 GMT 1
Post by StuartG on Aug 22, 2011 19:15:56 GMT 1
"Gannet oil leak" Update on Gannet oil leak 21/08/2011 An update from Shell U.K Limited on the Gannet Alpha oil leak On Friday, Shell divers closed the relief valve from which oil had been seeping. No oil has been released since that point. Continuous monitoring is being carried out to ensure the closure of the valve has been fully successful. That monitoring will continue. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency surveillance flight on Saturday found no oil on the surface. 36 concrete mats have been successfully laid on the flowline in a process to secure it to the seabed. This process will continue over the next few days. www.shell.co.uk/home/content/gbr/aboutshell/media_centre/news_and_media_releases/gannet/?gclid=CLm7kdeX4qoCFcQLtAodyxCw7A
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NEWS
Aug 23, 2011 18:57:35 GMT 1
Post by StuartG on Aug 23, 2011 18:57:35 GMT 1
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NEWS
Aug 23, 2011 19:32:27 GMT 1
Post by principled on Aug 23, 2011 19:32:27 GMT 1
Stu From your link:
Reading this, I thought of the GAT and how the scientists must take into account both micro-climates and more importantly changes thereto when viewing temperatures from weather stations. This would be a pretty massive undertaking. I don't think it's good enough just to say that whatever micro-climate exists around a station the temperature trend will not be affected. That holds true only if the micro-climate is itself is immune from alteration by external factors.
We've discussed at length UHI, should we now move ouyr focus to micro-climates? P
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NEWS
Aug 23, 2011 19:46:03 GMT 1
Post by StuartG on Aug 23, 2011 19:46:03 GMT 1
P. One thing I haven't been able to find out is 'CO2 levels around and in large forests' except in the vaguest, in passing, reference. I wonder if study of them blows a hole in some arguments. If we can accept CO2 levels from the side of a volcano... We're already seeing more acknowledgement of underwater CO2 levels. We still haven't got any results from CLOUD. More known unknowns.
StuartG
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